The Dragons hopes of a top six finish in the RaboDirect Pro12 took a blow as they lost 24-8 to Connacht. Captain John Muldoon scored twice to extend the Galway men's winning run to four games.

Tom Prydie claimed a score for the Dragons but Connacht's dominant set-piece was too much for Lyn Jones' side. Jason Tovey fired the Dragons into the lead in just the second minute after a Connacht forward failed to release ball carrier Ross Wardle.

However, Lam's men fought back as they shunted the Rodney Parade team off their own ball and drove over the whitewash. Captain Muldoon just had to fall on the ball to claim the five points- Dan Parks added the conversion.

Connacht's dominant set-piece led to a yellow card for lock Rob Sidoli. And the Dragons were overpowered again as Rodney Ah You crashed over at the back of the resulting line-out drive- Parks again added the extras.

The Irishmen's ascendancy up-front forced Lyn Jones to replace the entire front-row after only 28 minutes. Phil Price, Elliot Dee and veteran prop Duncan Ball had an immediate effect, anchoring the Dragons scrum and eventually winning a penalty of their own 10 metres from their own line. Connacht led 14-3 at half-time.

The Dragons' hopes of victory looked to be over when Muldoon crashed over for his second try of the match. Lam's men once again utilised their driving line-out to shove their way into a 19-3 lead.

The Dragons hit back through Prydie after replacement fullback Darragh Leader was sent to the sin-bin for taking Lewis Evans out in the air. But it wasn't enough as replacement lock Mike Swift rounded off the win for Connacht with another drive over try